Spring shenanigans, frugal mischief, Maypole antics, garden faffing, bargain binges, picnic pandemonium, Spaniel loving and Bank Holiday mayhem 😁

[DirtyGertiefromno30]

Welcome everyone, new and old to our lovely supportive frugal thread .

Afternoon everyone 😊
Just spent £18.50 on a few and l mean a few bits in Aldis 🙄
Visited my Mum who was fine there thankfully 😁.
Then visited Mums friend in hospital, then took his Grandaughter for shopping to Aldis , hence my shop there too.
Weather is awful , hailstorms , heavy rain, grey miserable guts sky 🙄
Really glad you took the time off and are starting to feel more like yourself again @DeepFriedCreamEgg 💐🤗

@DeepFriedCreamEgg sorry to hear you had a dip this week. Good you heard the ques and the smoothies / clean eating will help 🙏

@Frugal25 hope your DD had a better weekend (and you too!)

@drspouse sorry to hear about the school visit. Sounds a minefield dealing with it all, hope you can appeal and your DSs current school can do more to meet his needs 🙏.

Fell behind a little, DMs funeral tomorrow so by this time in 24 hours I will, I hope, feel a
Today has been £1.99 Amazon (patch for my favourite jeans which I got DDs red hair dye on!
£8.30 Tesco
On Saturday I spent around £12 so it's been a LS weekend. Got the 18p per scoop of ice cream deal at Creams - £3.38 for three tubs and sauces for DD and her friend.

So glad your mum is ok @DirtyGertiefromno30
Healthy foods and days off to rest do wonders @DeepFriedCreamEggso glad you were able to read the signs.
@Lockin26i shall be thinking of you tomorrow my darling. Sending love and hugs xxx

£4 today as went to our fave park which had a farmers market and there was a stall selling natural beauty products so got my friend two shower steamers as it's her birthday coming up.
Spent the rest of the day in the garden doing weeding etc. I'm pooped now. Did a leek risotto for dinner and going to spend the evening trying not to fall asleep on the sofa.

Today was a.... Wait for it... NSD!

Spent very little if anything this weekend. Probably just as well - as spent shed loads in the past month or so and in my very current pissy mood need to stay away from temptation.
DH is not helping me with his behaviour which hasn't changed really but can be hard to live with at times. He's always been that way but my patience has seriously worn thin lately and he won't talk about it. I need cheering up people and have been re-reading the 'recognise a fellow mumsnetter by a comment or thread!' It has helped! 😁

Oh @Rainbow1961 tell me about it , my DH has really annoyed me today.
He's a lovely man usually but he caused an atmosphere because he didn't want to give my Mum's friend a lift to Aldis and he made me feel embarrassed in front of her. When we had taken her home l tackled him about it and he said she didn't know only you did , as if it was ok to make me feel bad. I went nuts . I would never do that to anyone and it hurt me he could behave like that. He showed himself up tbh . Not meaning to go on about my life but just sharing how we all have these things going on , anyway mine has apologised to me but it's not on .
I was so annoyed l came home and ate crap and then stupidly thought that will teach him, when it's my body l am hurting 🤣.

Yay re the NSD @drspouse 😁👏

@Lockin26thinking of you and your beloveds sweetheart , hope everything goes as well as can be expected 💐🤗

Sounds a lovely day for you @Frugal25 well done on the gardening. That leek Risotto sounds delicious 😋.

Hi everyone,

I’ve been absent for a while, just had a lot going on, but no real reason. I keep thinking I must check in, but never do, so here I am finally ☺️

Spending wise I’ve been ok, I think I’m in the habit of cutting back and having NSD’s which is good, it’s only taken 40 odd years!! Last week I had five NSD in a row which I was thrilled with.

Most of my recent spending has been on dd2, she has just started her A-level exams and is a bit stressed as you can imagine, I’ve paid for a couple of meal deals which are now £3.85 and bus fares, plus a few little treats here and there.

I started a low spend year at the end of December and I’m still doing ok with that, very limited clothing purchases which were always my downfall, I did splash out on a book called Green living made easy by Nancy Birtwhistle, so I’m looking to that arriving.

This weekend has been ok, just spent on some cleaning stuff, Dh paid for a nice lunch yesterday whilst we were out. Also got an eyebrow wax.

Ive recently discovered the flylady app, I used to follow the threads on here years ago and found it so helpful. The tasks don’t take long at all and they help me feel like I’m in control of home, as crazy as it sounds.

I hope everyone here is doing well continuing the frugal habits and enjoying the longer evenings and lighter mornings. Looking forward to a good week ahead.

@DirtyGertiefromno30 Those atmospheres are a monumental pain in the backside aren't they? I generally never say anything to DH when in company as I don't want to embarass him but it usually means I'm mortified and really just letting him off the hook and him getting away with it. He never apologises just carries on in his own way.
It has happened for years but I'm a soft touch but lately I'm really not okay with it and I'm noticing more and more that his lack of friends and contact with his family is his fault but he's not happy that I keep taking off to see friends and do things to get away from him. Too bad!!
It's not a good situation to be in but I have enough issues with my own mental health and trying to stay positive and buoyant as it is without pandering to him. It's that bad I can't even be bothered to cook for him just because he rarely does! It would be nice if he looked in the freezer and thought about tonight's tea and cooked the bloody thing! Sorry! I'm such a grump today!! 👹
Edit! I'd join you in eating the crap food if I could - but not done a top up shop in a few weeks - there's naff all to eat!!

Ah @drspouse that sounds very tough on you all

@DeepFriedCreamEgg well done on looking after yourself - hope you continue to recover ❤️

@Lockin26 will be thinking of you tomorrow 💕

Sorry to hear your other halves are behaving like that - one reason why I’m glad I live on my own!! Having said that I’ve remembered today something my DS said to me on Friday at the party - it was a really mean remark and his friend he was talking to (a girl) pulled him up on it. But it’s made me feel rubbish today as bizarrely it’s reminded me of an incident when I was a little girl which felt horrible at the time! I do wish he wouldn’t say mean things, and pass them off as ‘only joking’ or ‘you can’t take banter’. I’ve spoken to him before about it and he does occasionally remember not to do it. Sigh.

Anyway, back on topic - spent £70 today on an event for my sisters birthday which I’m going to with her. Have done a small shopping list for tomorrow for the week as I can eat mainly from freezer and cupboards.

Lovely to see you back @Johaanah ☺️. 5 NSDs in a row is brilliant and
your spending sounds really sensible too. A-levels are so stressful, so meal deals, bus fares and little treats for your Dd2 are money well spent bless her . Hope your Dd2’s exams go well and you have a lovely week ahead ☀️

@Rainbow1961you’re not a grump at all, you just sound tired from years of trying to keep the peace sweetheart. That's enough to wear anyone down, especially when it feels like nothing ever really gets talked through or apologised for 😔
I get why you’re trying to focus a bit more on yourself now and spend time with your friends. You deserve support and laughter and space away from the tension at home and you aren't doing anything wrong 💐. I’d find the cooking exhausting as well. It’s not just the making of the meals, it’s a lot to do with always being the one having to think about it , that's so draining and makes you feel trapped. l am so sorry you are so fed up. You are worn out not horrible sweetheart . And of course there’s never any blinking comfort food in when you actually need it 🤣.
I am sure things will improve, just give yourself some time and take care of yourself, we are all here for you and each other ❤️

I’m so sorry that comment from your DS has stayed with you like that @chimichangaz, especially with it linking back to something painful from when you were little bless you sweetheart.
I imagine it's tiring for you when things are brushed off as only joking or banter, especially when you’ve already tried to explain to him how it lands with you .
It doesn’t sound like he means to hurt you, but I can see why it hurts and leaves you feeling down 😔
It’s actually really telling that his friend noticed and called it out straight away. That shows you weren’t being overly sensitive, it was seen for what it was in that moment and she validated you.
Even with all of that , you still managed to be really thoughtful , sweet and lovely today, doing something gorgeous and generous for your sister’s birthday.
I think you have been amazing, well done sweetheart ❤️

Ah @DirtyGertiefromno30 you always say the right things - thank you ❤️

@DirtyGertiefromno30 Thank you for your kind words - DH did say last night that he would endeavour not to do what he keeps doing - but then he's said that before. No sign of an apology - although I told him he needs to apologize to his daughter - he said he would but I actually think that's unlikely. But we will see.
I'm working for a few hours this morning thank god - because the atmosphere isn't too bright this morning. He keeps talking and trying too hard which in some ways is worse - just leave it alone!! I'm just not in the mood.
We are going shopping this afternoon and taking my NDN so today won't be a NSD - need some comfort food!! 😆

Good morning everyone 😊
Weather is pants here, cold ,wet ,drab and miserable 😖
Off to the local town for a mooch about.
Need a couple of things but nothing much 🤗
The petrol here is 5p dearer a litre 157.9 than in Sainsbury's 152.9, so l figured it would partly pay our petrol to go 🤣.
That's my excuse anyway 😁.
@chimichangaz& @Rainbow1961ah bless you both , all girls together right! 😁.
Re your Dh not apologising @Rainbow1961, that really sucks , l am so sorry you are up against such a wall. l threatened mine with telling my Dds . They will not have any nonsense from their Dad and would savage and shame him if they knew , so at least l have that as a weapon 🤣. Seriously though it wears you down long term 💐. You are doing the right thing in caring for yourself. Garner kindness and happiness from others, you so deserve it sweetheart 💐

Enjoy your shopping @Rainbow1961 sorry your DH is being such hard work. It does get wearing and comfort food is a mist at times.
Glad you have a weapon @DirtyGertiefromno30 in the form of DDs!! Men do need a quick clip round the ear at times.

Meant to be a NSD and I took leftovers for lunch but DD has had an accident at pre school and although they are doing their normal "everything is fine" and glossing over it, the bump on her head covers half her forehead and goes down and round her eye. So I'm making a move at lunch to go home so I'm at least round the corner. My lunch needs heating up so grabbed a nibble from m&s for the train. I could have waited til home yes but I'm not in the mood to heat things up now.

Afternoon everyone 😊
Spends today were
Heron foods £3
Asda £37 (they have £2 off a £12 frozen spend on the Asda Rewards App)
Home bargains £5
Petrol £55 saved £1.65 on that so not to be sniffed at 😁
@Frugal25 Oh bless her, no wonder you’re not in the mood for leftovers . A bump like that on such a little one is horrible, especially when they’re saying everything’s fine but she’s so bruised .
I’d want to be closer to home too, just for peace of mind. And honestly, a M&S nibble is completely understandable today. Hope your DD is okay ❤️
Thinking of you and your beloveds @Lockin26 💐

Oh @Lockin26
A parents funeral one of the hardest days of your life but I hope you can find some comfort after today. Be kind to yourself darling.

Spends today - Home Bargains £46.03 and Lidl £39.94 I have some comfort nibbles now!! 😉

Sending love to @Lockin26and hoping you are surrounded by family and love my darling one. Xxx I hope it went as well as it could go.
@DirtyGertiefromno30
You can buy heron food?!?!

DD absolutely fine. Her friend who she bumped into has a matching bruise the size of Germany on her head too. A nice bruise coming out.
£3 for the bus to the library for us both today.
£6 on arnica cream for bruised head.
£4 on sugar and butter as ran out.
£7 on a top and 4 toys in charity shop as my fave white top has gone past wearable and found a replacement.

Made my elderflower fizz. Got about 5 litres of the stuff. So if anyone fancies an evening in drinking let me know.

Oohhh what nibbles did you get @Rainbow1961 hopefully chocolate is involved

So glad your Dd is okay @Frugal25, even if she and her friend are now matching bruise twins! 😊 Sounds like one of those days where every little thing costs money, but at least you got a replacement top and some bargains in the charity shop. And 5 litres of elderflower fizz sounds dangerous in the best possible way 😁🍾.
Hope you bought some yummy treats @Rainbow1961👏😁😋.
Been to see Mum, who was ok but tired bless her ❤️. It's still raining here 😂.
Hope everyone is ok 🤗

@Frugal25 No chocolate - I don't like the stuff much and DH is diabetic so is limited to the small bars of Lidls dark chocolate.
Lots of sugar free biscuits bought for DH and I treated myself to some Rice crispies chewy bars 😋- I don't have a particularly sweet tooth but do love savoury nibbles. Except if we go to the cinema - then I overload on the sweet pick'n'mix! Good job we don't go there often! 😆
Spent £46 on some M&S jeans and had a coffee out but my friend treated me to that.
DH opened up the serious chat this morning and we had a reasonable discussion about recent issues. There's hope yet!! 😕

I’m so glad you and your Dh managed to have a calm, sensible chat @Rainbow1961🤗. That’s often the hardest step, and the fact he opened the conversation himself does sound hopeful. Fingers crossed things keep moving in the right direction 🤞.
Rice Krispy chewy bars sound yummy 😋 might have a little look for them 🤣